ABOUT A SARATOGA SPRINGS CHURCH PLANT: When I became a TBM Missionary, I moved to Utah and entered a 2-year apprenticeship program with the Mission. It taught me so much about working in a church and being a pastor. Watching other pastors and church leaders just deepened my desire to one day plant a church to reach the lost and disciple the saved. After completing the apprenticeship, I moved to Saratoga Springs, Utah. There, God placed a burden on my heart. The population of Saratoga Springs is around 40,000. Of that 40,000 more than 80% are LDS. Also, 80% of the population is 30 and younger. I have a heart for young people and young families. I really hurt for people my age who do not think God is real or who don’t know the true God. I am looking for team members that have a similar heart for people. Just about every day I overhear someone talking about religion. I am in the process of building a core team before I start church planting. God has been very good to me and has kept me motivated and encouraged as he uses me to reach the lost in Saratoga Springs.
MY TESTIMONY: I grew up in a Christian home in Michigan. At 7 years of age, I wrestled with what the gospel is. I understood that I was a sinner, and that God was perfect. As life went on, I realized that I could never turn from my sins to live a perfect life. Therefore, I doubted that I could have a relationship with a perfect God. But, in 10th grade, a camp speaker told me that salvation was through believing in Christ’s death and resurrection for my sins. He told me that nothing I can do could assure or save me and give me that relationship with God. At that time, in my cabin, I put my trust in Christ alone. I wanted to serve God full-time. In 12th grade, the Christian college I was planning on going to closed down. I thought maybe this meant God didn’t want me in full-time ministry. So, I went to community college instead, but that burdened me even more for the lost. I decided to go to Frontier School of the Bible. During my time at FSB, I developed a burden to church-plant in Utah. I graduated with an associate degree in general Bible. After that I took a pastoral internship in Pine Bluffs, then worked at Camp Rock in Redington, Nebraska. Now, as God leads me and burdens me for the people of Utah, I plan on being a church planter on a team.
A LITTLE ABOUT ME: I have a burden for helping hurting people, especially for youth and college-aged individuals. Particularly, I love ministering to hurting people who don’t know who God is. People who have been hurt by religion. Because I love to hunt and fish, I use that as a ministry by taking others along with me. I am a hardcore adventurer and like to try new things, including food. I’m excited to move to Utah and better learn how to plant a church for God’s glory.
My favorite verse is Jeremiah 17:14-16
“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise.
Behold, they say to me,
“Where is the word of the Lord?
Let it come!”
I have not run away from being your shepherd,
nor have I desired the day of sickness.
You know what came out of my lips.”
The reason why this is my favorite verse is because it shows that God is faithful in the hard times of life. As I move forward in this adventure that God has for me, I would very much appreciate your prayers.
